State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, is hosting a road naming and dedication ceremony honoring Jackie Wayne “Jack” Steinman at 2 p.m. Sept. 24 at Willow Hill Park in Jasper County.
House Joint Resolution 30 designates the junction of Illinois Route 49 and Illinois Route 33 as the Jackie Wayne “Jack” Steinman Memorial Highway.
“Honoring the service of our military veterans is one of the most important things I do as an elected official in the Illinois General Assembly,” said Niemerg. “I encourage everyone who knew and loved Jack Steinman to join us on Sept. 24 as we pay our respects and honor Jack for his lifetime of service and devotion to our state and country.”
According to the legislation, Steinman was a graduate of Newton Community High School and served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1971. He was awarded numerous medals for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star with Bronze Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart.
HJR 30 also recognizes Steinman’s 20 years of service at Willow Hill Elementary School, where he worked as a custodian and bus driver. He was a member of the Potter’s House Ministry and a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1769 in Effingham. Steinman also enjoyed spending time with family and friends, mushroom hunting, grilling and dancing.
At the time of his passing on July 18, 2023, Steinman was survived by his wife of 44 years, Sandy; his children, Sandra “Sam” (Mike) Hires, Jackie (Jeremy) Smock and Peggy (Ben) Stodden; 16 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
For more information, contact Niemerg’s office at 217-813-6036.